Omni United buys Calif. wholesaler ITD

SINGAPORE (Oct. 28, 2015) — International tire distributor Omni United Pte. Ltd. has acquired Interstate Tire Distributor (ITD), a Commerce, Calif.-based wholesaler with six locations in four Western states.

The acquisition, for which terms are not being disclosed, will help Omni United strengthen its growing presence in the U.S.

“The acquisition of ITD is the next step in the evolution of Omni United as a tire designer and marketer and it will reinforce our presence in our core market, the United States,” said Omni United CEO G.S. Sareen.

“We are excited about the opportunity for growth, learning and innovation that this move towards vertical integration will present.”

Omni United generated $455 million in revenue globally in 2014; it did not disclose its sales volume in the U.S.

ITD was founded in Los Angeles in 1963. Since then, the company has grown to six locations — three in Southern California and one each in Arizona, Nevada and Utah — servicing 2,500 tire retailers throughtout the western U.S., Omni United said.

The wholesaler's three principals, John Farkas, Scott Simpson and Matt Seavers, will remain on under Omni United's ownership as senior leadership, running the day-to-day operations.

Mr. Farkas, president of ITD, called Omni United a “company that shares the same philosophy and commitment to excellent service and high quality products.

“Omni United wants to grow ITD's existing business into a much larger company, with larger warehouse facilities and additional product offerings.”

(Omni United Pte. Ltd. photo)

G.S. Sareen, CEO and president of Omni United, is banking on the company's new Timberland tire and cross-promotional marketing with Timberland L.L.C.

ITD will add Omni United's brands — Radar, Roadlux and Timberland — to its existing portfolio, which includes leading mid–tier brands such as Toyo, Nexen and Yokohama as well as value-driven brands such as Mastercraft, Duro, Atturo and Goodride, the latter of which is also an Omni United brand.

ITD's distribution facilities are in Commerce, Fullerton and San Bernardino, Calif.; Phoenix; Salt Lake City; and Las Vegas. The company states on its website http://interstatetire.com/ that it offers twice-daily deliveries in most metro areas that it serves and is open Sundays as well.

Omni United is considered a “contract manufacturer” — a company that's involved in the design of the products it has manufactured for it by third-party tire makers. Omni sources its branded products from China, Thailand and the U.S.

Mr. Sareen founded the company in 2003 in Singapore.

Omni United established its U.S. headquarters in 2006 in Traverse City, Mich. That company, Omni United USA Inc., operates one warehouse in the U.S., in Fairfield, Calif., that it opened in 2013.

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